Annadale Ground — Attraction in Himachal Pradesh

Famous for: History Buffs, Nature Lovers

Entrance Fee: Free for everyone

Visiting Time: Army Museum Timings – 10am to 2pm & 3pm to 5pm; Monday Closed

Visit Duration: 1-2 hours

Annandale is a serene location of Shimla replete with mesmerizing vistas, a sporty golf club, an Indian Army Museum, a Cactus museum and a tranquil aura to spellbind you with. It has been a playground for British in pre-independence times and is a central destination to travel around in Shimla. The playground is in a shape of a big, huge circle and organizes parades, army activities, sports and festivals like Dushhera. It has been a known attraction for cricket and polo lovers and has been tempting tourists from all around the world to explore it and, the surroundings too, are sure to make you go wow over tthem.

Traveler Tips

A café is built within Annandale so you don’t have to worry about food!

Wear your sport shoes and the playground is also a safe place to take part in cricket, polo and golf here.

Things to Do

The Army Museum is a must to sightsee as you will find the historical ammunitions of Indian Army and many other interesting facts in your tour here.

Take yourself out amidst the gardens quaintly maintained by the Army officers and the place is to overwhelming to be in!

Keep your tiffins packed in bags as monkeys are all around so caution is strictly needed.

Hike towards the highest peak at Annandale as you can take a look at Shimla from this beautiful point.

Availability of Guides

Guides are actually not needed as the museum is an informative site and the playground too is a relaxing one to just enjoy by oneself.

Best Time to Visit

Shimla has a quaint weather in any month but avoid your visit during monsoons as you will not be able to soak yourself in the lovely atmosphere and environment of Annandale. So, winters and summers are an idyllic time to explore this attraction.

How to Reach

It is situated just 5 km from the Ridge and is also close to 2 km from Shimla Railway Station. Hence, you can either walk to the place or hire an auto or cab there.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

Sited at the altitude of 6227ft above the sea level, Annandale is one of those attractions where you can look down at the city of Shimla from Annandale’s highest peak that is filled with snow-clad mountains and breathtaking vistas.

There is trail of trees amidst Annandale from deodar trees to oak trees, you will find this lush greenery quite calming to the senses as this place is rich in its flora and fauna which is taken care by the Indian Army tastefully.

It is located densely in the suburban hamlet of Kaithu, Shimla West. It is a flat playground and was christened by Captain Charles Pret Kennedy, who was one of the initial visitors of this site.

It has been a significant hotspot for Anglo-Indian sport games and the area is also utilized as heliport of Shimla.

Nearby Attractions

Ram Temple

Marks Church

Kali Bari Temple

Indian Institute of Advanced Study

Toy Train Ride

Nearby Restaurants

Kwality Restaurant

Mirch Masala

Restaurant Baithak

Baljees Restaurant

Mehak Restaurant

Mezbaan

Tara Bhojanalay

Annandale is definitely an endearing place to be in as the sporty atmosphere and the discipline carried out by Army officers here will completely leave you in awe. Either drive up to here or take a walk and this nature’s charming attraction will beautifully take your heart away with its allure. Being a key tourist place in Shimla, Annandale has an adventurous yet soothing appeal to it as here you can come for picnics or weekend getaways and it will sweetly turn into your vacation as a memorable...

Annadale is located 2 km away from Shimla Railway Station,

Annadale has three colleges i.e. Modern Nursing College, Shimla Nursing College & B. Ed College. It has three government schools i.e. Govt. High School, Govt. Primary School, Annadale & Gawai Primary School.

Annadale got in controversy during 2005 to 2012, when Himachal Pradesh Government wanted to make an International Cricket Stadium here, but Indian Army refused this by saying that it would damage the scenic charm and nature of the valley and because of all this the situation became a bit controversial. In 2011 government made an idea to ask the people of Shimla about this desicion, in which the board was placed on The Ridge, on which the people who support this concept had to sign on the board. Most people supported this by signing on the board, but still government had to accept the Army's demand by cancelling the plan, then the plan was shifted to Dharamshala where in 27 January 2013 first One Day International cricket match was played between India and England in Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.

Annadale was first used by East India Companyand then the British Raj, which is why natives originally called it "Company Ka Baag". It was a place of enjoyment and entertainment for the British, offering fancy dress shows, picnics, and birthday celebrations. Every year a National Championship of Polo was organised there.Cultural and social festivals were organised there including Gymkhana, fete champetre and sports such as polo and cricket. Under the British Army, the grounds were also used for training and parades.A funfair was organised in September 1833 to raise funds for setting up a school at Sabathu for native girls. In 1839, the first Fancy fair was organised there.

The Durand Football Tournament was started in 1888 in Annadale by Mortimer Durand. It was interrupted during World War 1 and World War 2. The venue was shifted to Delhi in 1940.

British officers appreciated the nature and scenic charm of the site and protected it from disturbance by grotesque structures. During the 1924 gymkhana, a shed was built without proper permission of the municipal committee, who later questioned it. The Annadale Gymkhana committee, in its explanation, replied, "The genesis of this shed was the desire of one of the Indian members of the club (Maharaja of Bharatpur) for the purdah ladies who then can view the sports from the shed."

Gymkhana, polo, football, hockey, cricket matches, and other cultural and social festivals were organised in Annadale after independence. Dussehra was the main event organised, attracting people from the city, but in 1972 a clash between army and police created enmity between the military and civil administration. After this incidence, the event was shifted to Jakhoo Temple. Another major event was the 1971 plenary session of the All India Congress Committee. In addition, a national women's field hockey championship was also organised there. A Yajnawas organised by Gayatri...

Annadale is a famous attraction in Shimla, the capital of the North-Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Having a splendid golf course, a playground, a cactus museum and an Indian Army museum, it is a beautiful attraction for holidaying and rejuvenation purposes. In fact, during the pre-independence period, Annadale was the most preferred location the British chose for leisure activities like Cricket, Polo, Golf, Dog Shows, Reunions and other social events. The mesmerizing location draws tourists from all over the world especially sports lovers who often spend their time playing cricket, golf or polo. Annadale is also a famous picnic spot for the locals. It is often visited by tourists during summers as the weather stays cool and pleasant, allowing to explore the regions at leisure and play a sport or two. It is one of the best places to visit along with friends and family. Precious moments captured here will be cherished for the rest of the life. Today the playground is mostly used for events organised by the Indian Army and as a helipad. The beauty of the location cannot be described through words. One has to visit Annadale to know how breathtaking it is.

Things to do : Try Golf, Enjoy playground, Visit Indian Army Museum and Cafe

How To Reach : Annadale is barely 15 kilometres away from the centre of the city, Shimla. Tourists can choose to hire an auto rickshaw or rent a cab to reach Annadale.

Best Time To Visit : Annadale is best explored between October and February which is winter time in Shimla. The weather stays cold throughout the day, and the region also receives snowfall making it a...